The Karnataka government on Wednesday backed extension of the lockdown by a week beyond June 7, amid the continuing Covid-19 spread in rural areas and the positivity and fatality rates remaining high despite an overall decline in cases.
The decision is expected to be announced by CM BS Yediyurappa on Thursday, alongside a second relief package for unorganised workers who were left out in the first round announced last month. Ahead of that, the government permitted export-oriented units (EOUs) to function with 50% of their staff from June 3.
n discussions on the lockdown, the CM and a few senior ministers were in favour of unlocking in a phased manner after June 7 as Covid cases have dropped by nearly 65% from the peak in the first week of May. Health experts on the state Covid panel, however, stressed that the lockdown must continue at least for one more week as the positivity rate across the state is still hovering around 15%, said a minister who attended the meeting. They sought that the lockdown be continued till the positivity rate settles around 5%, he added.
News Source : Indian Express
